THIRTY YEARS ISN'T all that old for people, but for a restaurant that's a healthy age indeed.

To celebrate its 30th anniversary, Robata Grill & Sushi in Mill Valley is giving surprises to customers who dine during October, its anniversary month.

Owner Karin Hobbel and her late husband, Jim Tasley, opened many restaurants in Marin — including the former Good Earth Restaurant; Sushi Ko, Marin's first sushi bar, and Marin Brewing Company in Larkspur; and Roadrunner Burrito in Greenbrae.

While on a visit to Japan, the couple became enamored with the custom of fishermen in northern Japan known as robata, in which the fishermen would roast their fresh catch over a fire and pass the results on their oars, boat to boat, to share the bounty.

Subsequently, they chose Mill Valley for the first robata-style restaurant in the county.

Hankering for Salvadoran food? Head to El Tazumal, which opened in the space formerly occupied by Citrus and Spice in San Rafael.

It's the second location for owner Noemy Huezo, who also owns El Tazumal in San Pablo, while her brother owns an El Tazumal in Richmond.

All offer cuisine from El Salvador and Mexico and some specialty dishes from Nicaragua, Honduras and Guatemala.

El Tazumal is open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays at 1444 Fourth St. in San Rafael. Call 455-0444.

Cowgirl cookbook

Cowgirl Creamery's Sue Conley and Peggy Smith have written their first cookbook, "Cowgirl Creamery Cooks," (272 pages, Chronicle Books, $35) naturally featuring recipes utilizing cow, goat and sheep cheeses. It also tells the story of how they started the celebrated Point Reyes Station business and how to taste and handle all sorts of cheese.

The book features 75 recipes and will be released Oct. 30. Pre-order books online at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Indiebound.

Taste of Sri Lanka

Sample the cuisine of Sri Lanka, and support clean water.

A fundraiser for Water for People, which is developing water supplies for 10 countries as well as Homeward Bound's Oma Village Housing program, will take place at 6 p.m. Oct. 17. The cost is $50, with wine available for purchase separately.

The event is at the Key Room at Homeward Bound at 1385 N. Hamilton Parkway in Novato. Go to www.brownpaper tickets.com.

Diet for healthy aging

Learn which foods are the best sources of nutrients for bone density, how to prevent Alzheimer's disease and about research on the longest-lived populations on the planet who manage to eat fewer calories while eating more at "Healthy Eating for Healthy Aging" from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Oct. 24.

The presentation is $25 and is at Drake High School at 1327 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., room 102, in San Anselmo. To register, call 945-3730 or go to marinlearn.com.

Barbecue's on

Best Lil' Porkhouse's second location opened Oct. 14. New items at the much larger Corte Madera location include two Honeymoon organic ice creams, whisky barrel and salted caramel ($2.95) and a barbecue brisket salad ($9.95), made in Tiburon.

Best Lil' Porkhouse is at 60 Madera Blvd. in Corte Madera, and at 2042B Fourth St. in San Rafael. Call 457-7675 or go to www.bestlilpork house.com.